Mammutant - Atomizer
Mammutant create a thick, industrial sound on their latest album, Atomizer. Despite the primary death metal influence, they sound very close to early Fear Factory with the way they choose to make the industrial part of their music show through mostly drum and production efforts to create a bit of an 'echo' entirely throughout the music rather than using keyboards or electronic 'techno' elements along the lines of bands such as death metal legends Project Hate. Indeed, this is more along the lines of Red Harvest, but not as industirally profound. Instead, this Germanic band is more profound on creating 'groove metal' with their churning pace and riveting sound. Compared to their debut, the latest album is much more engaging and enjoyable in the way it doesn't just sound like 'typical death metal.'
The opening track of the album is very apocalyptic and symphonic, an industrial metal setup for the chaos about to come. However, such an introduction is so common on melodic/ industrial death metal albums, it actually seems to harm the album more than do good because it sets up false expectatoins. Fortunately, Mammutant blow away those expectations with their groove based style. Between only three people, they make a lot of noise, and much of that noise relies on thick, sludgy guitar riffs and 'padded drum beats.' This helps create the industrial echo effects. The vocals are a cross between a growl and a throaty roar, which helps them be understandable and fearsome at the same time. On tracks such as "Kammula Karmajakk" the brutal tone is mixed with the groove, and sounds akin to thrash death metal bands such as Vader, well known for their ability to create music that is more complex than it seems upon first listen. Atomizer may take some getting used to, but after the first three tracks, one will be hooked.
"Take No Prisoners" is the most 'death metal' infuenced track, particularly because the guitars are so thick. They drown out the drums and offer a raw, groove based death metal formula that isn't overly aggressive, but still sounds brutal with the way the production just cuts into the ear. It's a grinding listen, and closer to older Mammutant style. There is also the black sheep of the family- "Enter Bukatha." This track is strictly symphonic, just like the introduction, and provides a brief break from the chugging mayhem of the rest of the album. But, it offers a more unique kind of symphony with the pounding war drums and horns, that make a great introduction into the following track. "Brainslugs" is the most industrial influenced track. Despite there is no mention of keyboards or programming within the group, the wailing siren that is heard in the background surely attributies to either of these instruments, and adds a creepy, sci-fi depth that is missing from the album. It is a good thing they did not overuse such an effect or it would make the album very generic.
Overall this is definitely a fun listen if you enjoy groove or thick death metal that tries to stay away from the typical themes of killing and social apathies. The science fiction feel of the album isn't as profound as other bands may offer, but the desolate atompshere of the chugging music sounds ever more apocalyptic and scary than any abundant use of samples, thick beats, or vocoder enhancements. Mammutant also have a thing for theatrics with unique costumes that make them seem like they came out of a film such as Ghost Of Mars (horrible by the way... if you haven't seen it you've been blessed) but doesn't come off as cheesy or typical like some black metal costumes do. They seem like they'd make a great live show to see, and when performing tracks from Atomizer the live production would make the sound even thicker and more desolate.
The opening track of the album is very apocalyptic and symphonic, an industrial metal setup for the chaos about to come. However, such an introduction is so common on melodic/ industrial death metal albums, it actually seems to harm the album more than do good because it sets up false expectatoins. Fortunately, Mammutant blow away those expectations with their groove based style. Between only three people, they make a lot of noise, and much of that noise relies on thick, sludgy guitar riffs and 'padded drum beats.' This helps create the industrial echo effects. The vocals are a cross between a growl and a throaty roar, which helps them be understandable and fearsome at the same time. On tracks such as "Kammula Karmajakk" the brutal tone is mixed with the groove, and sounds akin to thrash death metal bands such as Vader, well known for their ability to create music that is more complex than it seems upon first listen. Atomizer may take some getting used to, but after the first three tracks, one will be hooked.
"Take No Prisoners" is the most 'death metal' infuenced track, particularly because the guitars are so thick. They drown out the drums and offer a raw, groove based death metal formula that isn't overly aggressive, but still sounds brutal with the way the production just cuts into the ear. It's a grinding listen, and closer to older Mammutant style. There is also the black sheep of the family- "Enter Bukatha." This track is strictly symphonic, just like the introduction, and provides a brief break from the chugging mayhem of the rest of the album. But, it offers a more unique kind of symphony with the pounding war drums and horns, that make a great introduction into the following track. "Brainslugs" is the most industrial influenced track. Despite there is no mention of keyboards or programming within the group, the wailing siren that is heard in the background surely attributies to either of these instruments, and adds a creepy, sci-fi depth that is missing from the album. It is a good thing they did not overuse such an effect or it would make the album very generic.
Overall this is definitely a fun listen if you enjoy groove or thick death metal that tries to stay away from the typical themes of killing and social apathies. The science fiction feel of the album isn't as profound as other bands may offer, but the desolate atompshere of the chugging music sounds ever more apocalyptic and scary than any abundant use of samples, thick beats, or vocoder enhancements. Mammutant also have a thing for theatrics with unique costumes that make them seem like they came out of a film such as Ghost Of Mars (horrible by the way... if you haven't seen it you've been blessed) but doesn't come off as cheesy or typical like some black metal costumes do. They seem like they'd make a great live show to see, and when performing tracks from Atomizer the live production would make the sound even thicker and more desolate.
- Cannibals
- Ktulu Rising
- Season Of Wolves
- Atomizer
- Take No Prisoners
- Enter Bukatha
- The Fall Of Ultrosstuss
- Paradise Of Flesh
- Kammula Karmajakk
- Vermingod
- Cyberincarceration
- Brainslugs
Massacre Records
Reviewer: Colin McNamara
Oct 4, 2010
Oct 4, 2010
Next review:
Grinning Shadows - The New Curse
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